| Level | Series |
| Finding Number (Click this to view full catalogue structure) | DA49/3 |
| Title | Papers relating to the abstract of evidence prepared by Willoughby for the Commission on the Uniformity of Discipline in Native Churches in South Africa, Fifth General Missionary Conference on South Africa, 1921, and associated research material |
| Extent | 7 files |
| Date | 1892-1931 |
| Description | Papers comprising typescript notes, press cuttings from national and international presses, and printed extracts from journals including 'The African Monthly'. The papers contain material collated by Willoughby in the composition of his report submitted to the Fifth General Missionary Conference and research papers compiled for use in publications by Willoughby.
The preparation of the abstract of evidence entailed the circulation of a questionnaire to native churches in the South African region [for example see DA49/3/7/1a-1b]. Questions related to matters such as the relation of Christianity to African customs, African ideas of the spirit world, taboos, magic etc. Upon receipt of replies, Willoughby compiled a report which he then submitted to the Commission. Additional notes suggest that this report was drafted in the form of five separate papers:
I African Religion
II African Ideas of Woman and Marriage
III African Tribalism
IV African Social Life
V The African Church
This series of files contains preparatory material for papers II, III, IV and V. In addition to transcripts of replies from the questionnaires, the files also contain notes from publications relating to associated matters. It seems evident that Willoughby intended to use the collated material for private research and possibly teaching purposes. |
| Arrangement | Files have been arranged as previously listed on former storage container. This corresponds with the arrangement of material in the report submitted by Willoughby to the Commission. |
| Access Status | Open |
| Physical Description | Some of the items contain cross reference details to items contained in the numerical series of files of general papers [see DA49/1] |